Mr. McKENZIE:

Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the hon. the Acting Minister of Justice (Mr. Meighen), I desire to bring to the notice of the right hon. the Prime Minister the reports that have appeared in the press.this morning about the strikes at Winnipeg. It is said that certain men who have been arrested are to be tried before a lay commission composed largely of officials of the Department of Immigration. I submit to the Prime Minister that such should not be the case, that these are grave charges, and that they should be tried before the best trained jurists of the land, or judges. I wish to know from the Prime Minister what method of trial is proposed.

I think the hon. gentleman (*Mr. McKenzie) is labouring under a misapprehension in regard to the matter. The Acting Minister of Justice (Mr. Meighen) has telegrams this morning from Winnipeg, Which I have not seen. 1 therefore speak under reserve and subject to any mformation - which may be contained in these telegrams. There are two entirely distinct proceedings so far as my information goes. The men were arrested under the criminal law of the country, upon the charge that they had engaged in a seditious conspiracy, and they were placed under detention upon that charge. In addition to that, there was a proceeding taken under the Immigration Act for the deportation of some or all of them-I am not quite sure which. That is entirely distinct from the criminal proceeding. They, of course, could not be tried under the Immigration Act on a crirni-

nal charge; they would be tried upon such a charge under the ordinary criminal law of the country, according to the proper criminal procedure established by law. The procedure under the Immigration Act is one which was established many years ago, which has been acted upon many times in this country during the past fifteen or twenty years, and which can be carried on, as I understand-I still speak under reserve-concurrently with the proceeding under the criminal law. That is all the information I can give to my hon. friend at the moment. The Acting Minister of Justice may be able to give further information.

REPATRIATION OF CANADIAN ~ SOLDIERS.

Mr. J. W. EDWARDS (Frontenac):

I de- . sire to ask the Overseas Minister of Militia (Sir Edward Kemp) if the strikes in England have interfered, or are likely to interfere, with the repatriation of our Canadian soldiers, and if so, to what extent?

Sir EDWARD KEMP (Minister of the Overseas Military Forces):

There have been strikes at the docks in Liverpool for the last ten days or more, and these have very seriously interfered with the embarkation of Canadian troops. No Canadian troops have been embarked from Liverpool since about the 14th inst. Our programme for the month of June contemplated the repatriation of some 55,000 Canadian troops. We brought back in the month of May about 55,000, and we had hoped that by the end of July, or even a little before that, we could get nearly all the Canadian troops back to Canada. I am inclined to the view, however, that the strikes will seriously interfere with that programme. It is feared, and it is possible, that the strike may extend to Southampton, where the very large ships sail from. However, I have information this morning which gives reason to hope that the strike may be settled to-day.

Sir EDWARD KEMP:

There are a certain number of Canadian officers and men who have been in the vicinity of Archangel in Northern Russia. Twenty-two officers and 455 other ranks were due to arrive in England yesterday. There will be a few still to be repatriated, but we hope to bring them back at a very early date.

Hon. JACQUES BUREAU (Three Rivers):

I notice from despatches which appeared in the press that negroes rioting in England cannot be deported on account of their British citizenship, but will be invited to leave that country by the offer of their passage money. I would like to know from the Government if any steps have been taken to ascertain whether any of these men are Canadians whom it is intended to return to Canada and if so, what action the Government intend to take as to their reception in this country when they arrive?

Sir EDWARD KEMP:

Do I understand my hon. friend to inquire whether or not these negroes are Canadian citizens?

Mr. BUREAU:

I am asking if any steps have been taken by the Government to ascertain whether any of them are Canadian citizens, and if so what action the Government intended to take with respect to their return to their own country, and what disposition would be made of them as being undesirables?